Friday, November 05, 2004

Lazy Critique of Popular Psychology (Part 3)

5. On Rage:
Popular psychology views rage as an aberration even though it has proven a sustaining force for much of human history. Only the decadent have no need for its potential survival value. Situational appropriateness is discounted. Rather than the result of fight or flight instincts, rage is often portrayed by cowards as a kind of insanity. Their despicable weakness needs justification. In reality, level depends upon self-control. Rage has its time and place. Until relatively recently in human history, most battles were fought hand-to-hand. The warrior actually had to crush skulls rather than pull a trigger. An adrenalin fueled state is necessary. Coolness is not as prized. When killing is necessary, rage supplies the will to power. The enemy in war are not personal enemies. A powerful motivator is required to kill with one's hands. Although admittedly somewhat atavistic, rage still has a place in a world where violence is a possibility. Suppression has many consequences, particularly depression and feelings of victimization. Many would not feel so scared, alone and threatened otherwise...

6. Often popular psychology castes aggression and violence in the same light by erroneously equating both in the common perception. Neither qualities are merely deviant. Violence is far too often necessary for survival. Self-defense is always acceptable. A related major error is made by equating mental and physical instances. Thinking about killing someone is not the same as actually performing the deed. Indeed, fantasizing about beating someone into mulch might provide enough of a release to prevent one from impulsively carrying out the act. Often knowing one is capable is just as emotionally fulfilling as actually doing the deed. Repressing aggressive tendencies will sometimes build internal pressures to the breaking point and we often see the horrible resultant violent reality. The decadent is incapable of seeing the positive aspects of aggression. Fear becomes the over-riding emotion rather than objectively considering the survival benefits of aggressive drives. Some obstacles in life may not be overcome any other way. Aggression requires an outlet, rather than its suppression. Athletics are a primary outlet. Athletes do not perform based on physical prowess alone. A mental component is also necessary. Aggression is positively harnessed for maximum performance. Violence is an entirely different matter. Unfortunately, too many watch rather than participate. Although sometimes necessary for the sake of survival, much violence is the result of frustrated aggressive drives. Seeing no other option, the only seeming alternative is to strike and the body count increases. Baring outright mental illness, popular psychological attempts to drive aggression underground might be the cause of so many explosions, especially among the young. Aggression builds to a point where it becomes self-destructive and perceived enemies die. Passivity seems to be the goal of the repression of aggressive instincts. Instead, the result is an explosion. Many are simply ill-suited to the civilizing process. A healthy society would have real outlets.

7. Popular psychology appears to discount the possibility of lying except in pathological instances. Human behavior is filled with dishonesty, but popular psychology would seem to espouse the opposite. In reality, falsehoods may be far deeper than any truth. An example is faith in a higher power, which has managed to sustain many through hard times. Although God is dead to this culture, its replacements have proven to be rather shallow. Perhaps it is time to find an apt and equally sublime replacement...

8. Popular psychology views a failure to adapt as resting solely upon the shortcomings of the individual. The environment provides the reasoning. By this reasoning, a perfectly sane individual would be maladaptive in an insane environment. The herd dictates right and wrong without any external references. Except for the
strongest personalities, many adopt second rate archetypal behavior patterns based solely upon inflated mediocre herd expectations. Where the environment to change drastically, these sort would not survive. The molds must be broken. Discarding popular psychological notions is an excellent first step.

1996 - January 1, 2001

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